Mobile platform and hoisting apparatus



1, 1957 R. G. OWEN 3,333,712

MOBILE PLATFORM AND HOISTING APPARATUS Filed Oct, 18, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

ROBERT G. OWE/v BY V'WI M Aug. 1, 1967 R. G. OWEN MOBILE PLATFORM AND HOISTING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 18, 1965 FIG. 2.

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 II 53 45 go I \\/%\A ROBERT G. WEN

AGENT Aug. 1, 1967 R. G. OWEN MOBILE PLATFORM AND HOISTING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 18, 1965 INVENTOR. ROBE w G. OWEN A GEN? United States Patent 3,333,712 MOBILE PLA'I'FORM AND HOISTING APPARATUS Robert G. Owen, 1980 Lake Ave., Huntington Beach, Calif. 92646 Filed Oct. 18, 1965, Ser. No. 497,276 9 Claims. (Cl. 21246) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention has to do with erection of structures such as steel framed buildings and the like, and is particularly concerned with the hoisting of building parts into position for installation, it being a general object of this invention to provide a mobile apparatus which is transportable to a building site and through and about the building structure for support therein during its erection. It is to be understood that the apparatus disclosed is not limited to use with any one of the many types of building structures, since the apparatus can be proportioned so as to be supported in most any framework requiring erection, and as well within frameworks which require dismantling.

The art to which this invention relates is characterized by the employment of elevators, cranes, derricks and variations thereof which are adapted to hoist building parts and materials into building structures as they are erected. Although the usual hoisting equipment is well designed and efiicient for the useful purposes intended therefor, there is a generally accepted disadvantage relating to mobility. Specifically, it is the tedious and painstaking etforts that are usually employed in the repeated erection, dismantling and re-erection of hoisting equip ment that is referred to. For example, the usual crane or derrick is erected at one level and when its usefulness at that level is spent, it must be dismantled, partially at least, in order to be transported to another level; and this procedure is repeated many times in the course of a usual construction job, and usual dismantling and erection is time consuming. Furthermore, the usual crane or derrick is characterized by a fixedly positioned foundation element, such as a mast or the like. As a result, therefore, the usual prior art hoisting equipment is cumbersome, unwieldy and presents substantial interference to the building being constructed; since the usual equipment must necessarily be provided in large sizes for adequate lateral reach, must necessarily be provided with a fixed foundation at or within the building being erected, and must also be provided with power and various accessory gears.

It is to an improved hoist apparatus of the type hereinabove referred to that the present invention relates and it is an object, therefore, to provide a transportable hoist that is readily adaptable to the erection of any framework or like structure, and particularly to vertically extended frameworks or multi-story buildings which are composed of bays of assembled columns and beams. More particularly, it is an object to provide a mobile platform and hoist which is transportable to a building site and subsequently through the building as it is erected, the platform and hoist being transportable at all times in both horizontal and vertical directions, and all without dismantling of the same.

An object of this invention is to provide a hoisting apparatus of the character above referred to and which is comprised of components that are adapted to be moved onto a building site and assembled there for mobile use and thereafter disassembled and removed from the building that has been erected thereby. With the present invention, the components are relatively small and lightweight, since size is in essence replaced with mobility,

to the end that moving of the components is easily ac complished by means of tracking facilities.

Another object of this invention is to provide a platform and hoisting apparatus wherein power and related facilities are self-contained, and to the end that the apparatus is self-sufficient in its ability to operate for the purposes intended and also to provide power and mechanical advantage for its transportation to and throughout the building site and structure erected thereon.

It is another object of this invention to provide a platform and hoist of the character above referred to with elevating means adapted to vertically transport the same to various levels of a building structure as it is erected; and with support means adapted to maintain the elevation and/ or position that is reached.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a platform and hoist of the character above referred to with track means adapted to horizontally transport the same to various locations throughout the building structure and as it is erected; said support means being adapted to maintain a position at the desired location, as above stated.

It is the ultimate object of this invention to provide a mobile platform for the utilitarian support of any suitable crane or derrick like device which is useful to lift and selectively place objects as may be required, and therefore, the particular type and/or style of crane or derrick can vary widely, it being preferred that a revolvable crane be supported upon the mobile platform hereinafter described.

The various objects and features of this invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of the typical preferred form and application thereof, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view showing a typical embodiment of the present invention, the mobile platform and hoisting apparatus being shown transported to an initial position where erection of a building structure has been commenced thereby.

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, showing a portion of the apparatus and illustrating the manner in which it is transported both vertically or horizontally through the building structure being erected.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIGS. 1 and 2, and illustrates the support of the apparatus of the present invention upon the building structure being erected. a

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the platform of the apparatus, the hosting means being removed, and FIG. 5 is an enlarged detailed section taken substantially as indicated by line 5-5 on FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a detailed perspective view of a davit which is adapted to the building structure being erected, in order to elevate the platform.

The apparatus involves components that are moved to a building site and there assembled for useful mobility at and within the structure of a building framework F. Such a framework can vary widely depending upon the particular architecture involved, and generally such a framework F is said to have bays which are the open areas or spaces defined within the boundaries established by sets of columns ll). For example, a usual building structure involves squared or rectangular bays involving sets of four columns 10 disposed parallel with each other and extended perpendicularly from a foundation 11. In practice, the columns 10 are of a length to include several stories of a building, and at each story or level there are horizontal beams 12 between the columns. A building customarily involves a multiplicity of adjacent bays disposed laterally in various desired directions, as circumstances require, and it is this type of building framework to which the present invention is applicable and adapted to facilitate construction. It is to be understood, of course, that peculiarities arise in the form of omissions of certain beams, girders and columns, which can be substituted for when and if necessary. 1

The components of the apparatus will be described as they are related to or take form in the combined means of the present invention which involves, generally, a carriage means A, elevating means B, support means C, track means D and hoist means E. The carriage means A establishes the main body or platform of the apparatus and is the element of structure that moves and which carries and which is acted upon by the other elements as will be described. The elevating means B involves elements both within and without the confines of the carriage means A to lift and/ or to lower the carriage as a mobile unit. The support means C is provided to mount the carriage means A in a selected location, while the track means D is provided for horizontal mobility of the carriage as a unit. As shown, the hoist means E is a versatile and usual piece of equipment such as is normally used for hoisting purposes and it is preferably a revolvable crane having a shiftable boom from which a live cable retractably extends for the function of lifting and placing objects.

The carriage means A which establishes the main body or platform is characteristically smaller in plan configuration than the area of the bays through which it is to travel. Since the bays of various buildings vary in size and proportions, consequently the carriage means A varies in size and proportions, being mobile through the bays in a vertical direction with comfortable side clearances. The usual 'bay is rectangular as shown, in which case the means A comprises a pair of spaced and parallel side members to pass closely to the side beams 12, and a pair of spaced and parallel end members to pass .closely to the end beams 12. The side and end members 20 and 25 are beam members that are fabricated separately for portability and which are rigidly joined together as a unit forming a rectangular frame. As shown, each member 20 and 25 is a straight horizontally disposed beam of box cross-section, having rugged corner rails 21 and stiff tubular truss members 22.The end members 25 abut onto the inside of the side members 20, as by means of flanged connections at '23, and the end portions of the members 20 are braced with trusses so as to transmit loads through and around the corners of the platform. Thus, the basic carriage means A is rigid and light-weight.

In carrying out the invention, the apparatus is to be self sufficient and, therefore, the apparatus carries related power and auxiliary facilities. To these ends the beam sections of the members 20 and 25 are of substantial depth for provision of head-room between the lower and upper planes of the members, and there is a floor 2-6 at the lower plane of the members. The floor 26 comprises floor members 27 that tie to and span between side members 20 (or end members 25), and floor grating 28 supported by the members 27. The components 27 and 28 are each removably installed at the plane of the lower rail 21 to carry such equipment as a motor generator set M adapted to supply the energy for operating the entire apparatus, and an air compressor P adapted to supply the pneumatic tools that are customarily employed in building construction, such as impact tools and the like. The equipment M and P and other like and related equipment can be arranged on the floor 26 as circumstances require.

The elevating means B which lifts and/ or lowers the carriage means A and related components establishing the platform can vary widely according to design requirements. However, horizontal stability of the platform is essential and restriction against lateral oscillation is to be preferred. As it is illustrated the elevating means B comprises a davit and winch arrangement which serves the function or capability of lifting the carriage means A to a level corresponding to or equal to or above the top ends of the columns 10. In order to insure stability a davit and winch arrangement is provided at each corner of the carriage means A, and in accordance with the selfsufiicient nature of the apparatus there is a winch 30 installed at all corners and on each end portion of the side members 20. The winches 30 are alike and are installed at the upper plane of the members 20 so as to receive vertically suspended lifting cables. As is indicated, the said winches are removably installed as units in the form of electrically driven winches having a pair of identical drums 31 rotated together by a motor 32 through a self locking worm gear drive (not shown) or the like. Additionally, the winches 30 are provided with a brake (not shown) to be used to lock the drums in the event of a transmission failure within the winch units.

In accordance with the invention there is a davit 35 removably installed at or on the upper end portion of each column 10 and one davit above each winch 30. The davits 35 are alike and each is adapted to suspend a lifting cable 36 above a winch 30. In practice, a pair of cables 36 depends from each davit 35, for safety purposes in the event that any one cable fails, and each of said pair being equally adapted to the two drums 31 respectively. As shown, the davit 35 comprises a vertical member 37 with lateral hooks 38 engaged over right angularly related beams 12 and with a rest 39 bearing against the beam 10 at a lower level than the hooks. A braced arm 40 projects inwardly and carries a swivel 41 with a pair of connected turn buckles 42 to accurately adjust the lengths of the cables 36. The motors 32 can be alternating current motors that operate substantially synchronously, to the end that lifting action is uniform at all corners of the carriage means A.

The restriction against lateral movements or oscillation is provided for by guide wires 43 which are also suspended from the davit arms 40, through ferrules 44 or the like in the carriage means A and under tension to an anchor point below the carriage means. The wires 43 are maintained in parallelism so as to act in the capacity of a vertical track means.

The support means C which mounts the carriage means A in a selected location is an extensible and/ or retractile means adapted to supportably engage the platform with the frame F and alternately to withdraw said engagement so as to permit the platform to move freely within the bays of the frame. That is, the support means C is operable to couple the carriage means A to the frame F and to uncouple the same in order to permit its mobility. In accordance with the invention the support means C is incorporated in the self contained structure of the platform and comprises shiftable legs 45 that project from the carriage means A to overlie elements of the frame F. Specifically, it is the beam elements 12 which the legs 45 overlie with supporting engagement. In practice, there is at least one shiftable leg 45 at each corner of the carriage means A and preferably a pair as shown, thereby establishing horizontal stability equal to the supporting framework. Although extensibility of the legs 45 can be gained in various manners it is preferred that said legs be swivelled on vertical axes and located in the extended position by braces 46. Thus, the legs 45 are alike and each is a truss-like element with spaced structural members pivoted to the upper and lower rails 21 on a common vertical axis. The truss-like members of the leg 45 converge to a pad '47 that bears upon the beam 12 and which can be secured thereto as by clamps. With the leg 45 disposed normal to the member 20 and 25 from which it projects as shown, the brace 46 is installed by bolting or pinning the same in position to rigidly hold the leg so extended. Alternately, the brace 46 is removed and the leg is then permitted to swing so as to lie adjacent the member 20 or 25. As is clearly illustrated the pairs of legs are located so as to embrace each of the columns 10.

The track means D which mobilizes the platform is a vehicular means that supports the carriage means A while it is transported laterally. The direction of movement can vary as circumstances require and it is usual to require right angularly related directions of movement,

so as to move between rectangularly related bays of the typical frame F. Therefore, removable ways 50 and 51 are temporarily installed at the building site and within the frame F to movably support the carriage means A, and the carriage means A is movable on said ways. In the preferred form the ways 50 and 51 are engaged by rollers 52 and 53 respectfully that are journaled on brackets at the underside of the carriage means A, on fixed axes. There is a pair of spaced rollers 52 at each side member and which are spaced and aligned so as to engage upon spaced parallel ways 50 that span transversely between side beams 12. And, there is a pair of spaced rollers 53 at each of the end members and which are spaced and aligned so as to engage upon spaced parallel ways 51 that span longitudinally between end beams 12. The ways and 51 which span the beams as described are themselves beams that are trussed so as to be light-weight. The ends of the ways 50 and 51 are secured to the framework as by clamps, and a complement of two pairs of each ways is all that is required to have complete mobility from bay to bay and throughout a building being constructed. It is to be understood that the lengths of ways 50 and 51 vary with each other and also with the spans involved in different structures to be erected. Also, when initially upon the ground, or foundation, fiat untrussed ways are useable as the foundation of the track means D.

The hoist means E is illustrated as a universally revolvable gantry crane of conservative size, the mobility and facility thereof rendering the apparatus useful for heavy work despite its minimal size. More specifically, shutdown time required during transport of the platform and crane from bay to bay, whether vertical or horizontal, is so reduced that frequent transport is feasible without significant loss of time, and consequently a long or far reaching crane is not always necessary. in accordance with the invention, the carriage means A provides the members 29 and/ or 25 that support the hoist means E, there being a pair of headers removably fastened to the top plane of a pair of said members to carry the turntable 61 of the crane body 62. The crane comprises the usual complement of equipment so as to be complete, and includes such elements as a draw-works 63, a gentry 64, a boom 65, and the usual controls and tackle which characterize such cranes and derricks. The hoist means E is of a size to conveniently operate within the confines of the bays involved, to revolve throughout 360 and with a boom that will reach at least beyond the extent of any adjacent bay.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the components of the apparatus are few and simple, and that they are individually light-weight and maneuverable. The apparatus is delivered to a building site in a knocking down condition, or disassembled, and it is feasible to so transport the entire apparatus upon a single trucking unit, since any excessive width is eliminated through disassembly. It is significant that all components necessary for a complete hoist are present at the time of delivery upon the building site, and in the event that the trucking unit is without a winch then the draw-works 63 is operable to pull itself from the trucking platform, and it is equally operable to pull all other apparatus equipment therefrom. It will be apparent that assemblers skilled in the art can readily place components in their relative positions; for example, to place the motor generator set M and compressor P upon the floor 26, and to then surround the same with the beam members 20 and 25, and following with the placement of the hoisting crane of means E. Further, the means B, C and D are each installed as removable components that are easily hoisted to their respective working positions and connection to the apparatus structure. Thus, it is a simple matter to erect and/or assemble the mobile platform and hoisting apparatus at or near the building site, and in practice the platform so constructed is placed upon the ways 50 or 51 in order to be mobile.

With the mobile apparatus assembled as above described it is then operable to propel itself upon ways 50 or 51 laid upon the ground and/ or foundation of the building site, and in accordance with the invention the platform and hoist is advantageously moved upon ways 50 and 51 throughout the building area in the course of erecting the first stand of columns 10 and first raised level of beams 12. There are, of course, variations in procedure that are automatically followed as a result of building architecture, and the mobile apparatus is transported throughout the building area as circumstances require, both horizontally and vertically. Therefore, having raised the first columns and beams of the building framework F, the mobile apparatus is elevated by means of the winches 30 and davits 35 that are cooperatively related to the carriage means A to elevate the platform and hoist. As above described, the davits 35 are installed in the bay above the carriage means A, and they are hooked to the beams 12 that have previously been raised by the apparatus. The guide wires 43 are then strung taut between the davits 35 and through the ferrules 44 and to anchor points beneath the carriage means, whereupon the cables 36 are extended between the davits 35 and winch drums 31, and the winches 30 operated synchronously to elevate the entire platform and hoist. When the desired level is reached, at the beams 12 to be used for support, the legs 45 of the support means C are braced, whereupon the winches 30 are operated to lower the carriage means A onto the framework F for support. Tie down can be effected as shown in FIG. 3 by training the wires 36 from the winch drums 31 and to an anchor point beneath the carriage means, thereby securing the platform and hoist to the frame F. As previously stated, the legs 45 can be suitably fastened to the building framework for stability. Thus, the platform and hoist is raised without diamantling any of its operative components.

Having erected the level of a frame F so as to have raised supporting beams 12, the platform and hoist of the present invention is mobile throughout the raised area on the ways 50 and 51 of the support means C. As hereinabove described, the ways 50 and 51 are trussed so as to span between the beams 12, and said ways are laid across the bays as required and the platform and hoist transported thereon horizontally from bay to bay. In accordance with the invention, the carriage means A is lifted as by the means B, or as by means of jacks (not shown), for placement upon the ways so as to travel in the desired direction. Then, upon location at the desired bay the carriage means A is replaced upon the means C for support on the frame F. Again, the platform and hoist is transported without dismantling any of its operative components.

The above described procedures are repeated as required in the course of erecting the frame F and following the raising of each level the subsequent construction of floors and finishing of the building can proceed Without interference from the platform and hoist of the present invention which precedes said subsequent construction. To this end, therefore, it is advantageous to employ the self-contained mobile platform and hoist of the present invention, which in no way interferes with the underlying framework F that it has raised. Finally, upon completion of the raising of the frame F and any and all objects that are to be placed upon or in the building, the apparatus is dismantled and lowered piece by piece over the side of the building, following procedures that are usually employed under such circumstances, it being a simple matter to lower said components by gravity, including the draw-works and other relatively heavy elements.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any modifications or variations that may appear to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A mobile platform and hoisting apparatus for transport through a building structure erected thereby and comprising bays defined by sets of columns joined by beams, and said apparatus including:

(a) a carriage means comprising a main horizontally disposed body smaller in plan dimensions than the dimensions of the bays, and which is thereby vertical- 1y mobile through the bays;

(b) elevating means transporting the carriage means vertically through a bay and comprising a part having lifting engagement upon the building structure and a guide wire tensioned between said part and an anchor point and extended slideably through a ferrule in the carriage means body to guide the same during vertical movement thereof;

(c) support means mounting the carriage means upon the building structure at the termination of each vertical transport thereof;

(d) and hoist means supported upon the carriage means to lift the parts of the building structure.

2. A mobile platform and hoisting apparatus for transport through a building structure erected thereby and com prising bays defined by sets of columns joined by beams, and said apparatus including:

(a) a carriage means comprising a main horizontally disposed platform smaller in plan dimensions than the dimensions of the bays, and which is thereby vertically mobile through the bays and horizontally mobile over the bays;

(b) elevating means transporting the'carriage means vertically through a bay and comprising davits positioned about the platform and removably engaged upon the building structure and a winch with a lifting cable extended between the platform and each davit to mobilize the carriage means platform vertically in its said horizontal disposition;

(-c) support means mounting the carriage means over the beams of the building structure at the termination of each vertical transport thereof;

((1) and hoist means supported upon the carriage means to lift the parts of the building structure.

3. A mobile platform and hoisting apparatus for transport through a building structure erected thereby and comprising bays defined by sets of columns joined by beams, and said apparatus including:

(a) a carriage means comprising a main horizontally disposed polygonal platform smaller in plan dimen-' sions than'the dimensions of the bays, and which is thereby vertically mobile through the bays, and horizontally mobile over the bays;

(b) elevating means transporting the carriage means vertically through a bay and comprising davits positioned at the corners of the polygonal platform and removably engaged thereat upon separate columns of the bays and winch means with lifting cables extended between the platform and each davit to mobilize the carriage means platform vertically in its said horizontal disposition;

(c) support means mounting the carriage means over the beams of the building structure at the termination of each vertical transport thereof;

(d) and hoist means supported upon the carriage means to'lift the parts of the building structure.

4. A mobile platform and hoisting apparatus for transport through a building structure erected thereby and comprising bays defined by sets of columns joined by beams, and said apparatus including:

(a) a carriage means comprising a main horizontally disposed body smaller in plan dimensions than the dimensions of the bays, and which is thereby vertically mobile through the bays;

(b) elevating means transporting the carriage. means vertically through a bay and comprising, davits removably engaged upon separate columns of the bays, winch means with lifting cables extended between the carriage and davits to mobilize the carriage vertically, and a guide wire tensioned between at least one of said davits and an anchor point and extended slideably through a ferrule in the carriage means body to guide the same during vertical movement thereof;

(c) support means mounting the carriage means upon the building structure at the termination of each vertical transport thereof;

(d) and hoist means supported upon the carriage to lift the parts of the building structure.

5. A mobile platform and hoisting apparatus for transport through a building structure erected thereby and comprising bays defined by sets of columns joined by horizontally disposed beams, and said apparatus including:

(a) a carriage means comprising attached beam members disposed horizontally within the confines of a bay and thereby vertically mobile through the bay; 1

(b) elevating means transporting the carriage means vertically through the bay; 7

(c) support means operable at the termination of each vertical transport of the carriage means and comprising retractile legs pivoted on vertical axes to the carriage means beam members and releasably braced thereto, to engage the building beams for stable support of the carriage means;

(d) and hoist means supported upon the carriage means to lift the parts of the building structure.

6. A mobile platform and hoisting apparatus for transport horizontally through a building structure erected thereby and comprising right angularly related adjacent bays and each defined by sets of columns joined by horizontally disposed beams, and said apparatus including:

(a) a carriage means comprising a main horizontally disposed platform smaller in dimensions than the corresponding width and length dimensions of the bays, and which is thereby horizontally mobile to and from either adjacent bay in right angularly related directions;

(b) transporting means to pull the carriage means platform horizontally in said right angularly related directions;

(c) right angularly related track means supported upon the beams of the building structure and for transporting the carriage means horizontally from bay to bay; 7

(d) and hoist means supported upon the carriage means to lift the parts of the building structure.

7. A mobile platform and hoisting apparatus for transport horizontally through a building structure erected thereby and comprising right angularly related adjacent bays and each defined by sets of columns joined by horizontally disposed beams, and said apparatus including:

(a) a carriage means comprising a main horizontally disposed platform smaller in dimensions than the corresponding Width and length dimensions of the bays, and which is thereby horizontally mobile to and from either adjacent bay in right angularly related directions;

(b) transporting means to pull the carriage means platform horizontally in said right angularly related directions; t

(c) right angularly related track means supported upon the beams of the building structure and for transporting the carriage means horizontally from bay to bay;

(d) support means mounting the carriage means upon the building structure at the termination of each transport thereof;

(e) and hoist means supported upon the carriage means to lift the parts of the building structure.

8. A mobile platform and hoisting apparatus for transport horizontally through a building structure erected thereby and comprising n'ght angularly related adjacent bays and each defined by sets of columns joined by horizontally disposed beams, and said apparatus including:

(a) a carriage means comprising a main horizontally disposed platform smaller in dimensions than the corresponding dimensions of the bays, and which is thereby horizontally mobile to and from adjacent bays in right angularly related directions;

(b) transporting means to pull the carriage means platform horizontally in said right angularly related directions;

(c) track means supported upon the beams of the building structure and comprising selectively placeable and removable right angularly related Ways for transporting the carriage means horizontally to and from said adjacent bays;

(d) support means mounting the carriage means upon the building structure at the termination of each transport thereof;

(e) and hoist means supported upon the carriage means to lift the parts of the building structure.

9. A mobile platform and hoisting apparatus for transport horizontally through a building structure erected thereby and comprising right angularly related adjacent bays and each defined by sets of columns joined by horizontally disposed beams, and said apparatus including:

(a) a carriage means comprising a main horizontally disposed platform smaller in dimensions than the corresponding dimensions of the bays, and which is thereby horizontally mobile to and from adjacent bays in right angularly related directions;

(b) transporting means to pull the carriage means platform horizontally in said right angularly related directions;

(c) track means supported upon the beams of the building structure and comprising selectively placeable and removable right angularly related Ways engaged by supporting rollers journaled on the carriage means platform for transporting the carriage means horizontally to and from said adjacent bays;

(d) support means mounting the carriage means upon the building structure at the termination of each transport thereof;

(e) and hoist means supported upon the carriage means to lift the parts of the building structure.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,788,451 1/1931 Clapp 212-64 3,127,996 4/1964 Schwing 2l257 3,217,896 11/1965 Cannella 212-64 3,245,551 4/1966 Van Hezik 212-46 ANDRES H. NIELSEN, Primary Examiner. 

1. A MOBILE PLATFORM AND HOISTING APPARATUS FOR TRANSPORT THROUGH A BUILDING STRUCTURE ERECTED THEREBY AND COMPRISING BAYS DEFINED BY SETS OF COLUMNS JOINED BY BEAMS, AND SAID APPARATUS INCLUDING: (A) A CARRIAGE MEANS COMPRISING A MAIN HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED BODY SMALLER IN PLAN DIMENSIONS THAN THE DIMENSIONS OF THE BAYS, AND WHICH IS THEREBY VERTICALLY MOBILE THROUGH THE BAYS; (B) ELEVATING MEANS TRANSPORTING THE CARRIAGE MEANS VERTICALLY THROUGH A BAY AND COMPRISING A PART HAVING LIFTING ENGAGEMENT UPON THE BUILDING STRUCTURE AND A GUIDE WIRE TENSIONED BETWEEN SAID PART AND AN ANCHOR POINT AND EXTENDED SLIDEABLY THROUGH A FERRULE IN THE CARRIAGE MEANS BODY TO GUIDE THE SAME DURING VERTICAL MOVEMENT THEREOF; (C) SUPPORT MEANS MOUNTING THE CARRIAGE MEANS UPON THE BUILDING STRUCTURE AT THE TERMINATION OF EACH VERTICAL TRANSPORT THEREOF; (D) AND HOIST MEANS SUPPORTED UPON THE CARRIAGE MEANS TO LIFT THE PARTS OF THE BUILDING STRUCTURE. 